Protective collar for drill pipes



Oct. 27, 1953 w. J. wlLuAMs ETAL 2,657,101

PRomcTIv coLLAR FoR DRILL PIPEs original Filed March 25, 1950V w 2 sheets-sheet 1 I nia-.gm

BY ;7 ze W A'rra NEY.

Oct. 27, 1953 w. J. wlLLlAMs ETAL FRoTEcTn/E coLLAR FoR DRILL PIPEs 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 25, 1950 WA/AM IZ' niu/AMS Patented ct. 27,

PROTECTIV E COLLAR FOR DRILL PIPES William J. Williams, Odessa, Tex., and James W. E. Hanes, Ventura, Calif., assignors to Ventura Tool Company, Ventura,

raton of California Calif., a corpo- Continuation of application Serial No. 151,921,

March 25, 1950.

18 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to drill pipe protectors, and more particularly to protective collars composed primarily of rubber or rubber-like material.

This application is a continuation of our application for Protective Collar for Drill Pipes." Serial No. 151,921, filed March 25, 1950, now abandoned.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved drill pipe protector capable of being readily mounted on and removed from the drill pipe.

A further object of the invention is to provide a longitudinally split drill pipe protector having axially spaced reinforcing bands embedded therein which are maintained in appropriate longitudinally spaced relation with respect to each other and with respect to the rubber, or rubberlike, protector material in which they are contained or embedded.

Another object of the invention is to provide a split rubber drillpipe protector having looking and reinforcing devices therein, and in which the portions of the protector adjacent its split are held in appropriate position when the protector is clamped on the drill pipe, being prevented from detachment or loosening from the looking and reinforcing devices.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a split rubber drill pipe protector having looking and reinforcing devices thereon, and in which the end portions of the protector above and below the reinforcing devices are prevented from disengagement or peeling back from the drill pipe on which the protector is mounted.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improved rotatable cam lock arrangement for detachably securing a split drill pipe protector collar around and to the drill pipe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotatable cam lock arrangement for detachably securing a split drill pipe protector around and to the drill pipe, in which the cam lock is constructed to facilitate its easy assembly in appropriate position in the protector.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,

This application November 2, 1951, Serial No. 254,588

since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, with parts broken away, of a drill pipe protector clamped around a drill pipe section;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken along the line 2-2 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section through the split and looking portions of the protector, With the cam lock arrangement in unlocked position;

Fig. 4 is a view taken generally along the line' 4-4 on Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but with the cam lock rotated to place the protector in locked position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of the .lock device as seen from the inside thereof.

The protector A disclosed in the drawings is adapted to be readily placed around and clamped to a drill pipe B, and also to be easily released and removed therefrom. To accomplish this general purpose, the protector is formed as an annular collar or sleeve IO made of rubber, or rubber-like, material, having an inside diameter corresponding to the external diameter of the drill pipe B. The rubber collar has tapered end portions ll to facilitate movement of the drill pipe longitudinally within the well casing (not shown), and to minimize the opportunity of damaging the protector.

The rubber portion IU of the protective collar device is preferably made of one piece, and is provided with a longitudinal split extending completely through its wall, to enable the protector to be opened and closed transversely with respect to a drill pipe B on which it may be mounted. When the protector is closed, the opposite sides 12 of the split portion abut one another and are held in such abutting relation; so as to eifectively provide a circumferentially continuous external rubber surface engageable with the well casing (not shown), and also to provide a circumferentially continuous internal surface embracing the drill pipe B.

In order to secure the split rubber protective collar w in appropriate position around and upon the drill pipe, a plurality of fiexible metallic bands l3 are embedded in the rubber sleeve or collar, and these hands are preferably longitudinally spaced from one another and are also spaced longitudinally inward from the upper and lower ends ll of the rubber collar. Each band is split and has a fitting or fastening member lt or |5 seoured to each end porton on opposite sides of the split. In efieot, the fitting or fastening members |4, |5 may be considered as oontinuations or parts of the band E3 itself.

One end of the band |3 is received in an arouate slot i fornied in one of the fittings |5, this fitting having inner and outer arcuate fianges |1, l8 adjacent the split portion of the rubbei` collar, defining an arcuate groove or slot |9 therebetween. The other end of the i se-b cured to the opposite fitting |4, being reeived within an arcuate slot 2!! in the latter. This fitting |4 is provided with an aruate tongue 2| adapted to be positioned within the arcuate slot |9 of the other fitting |5, whenever the band |3 and collar lt are olamped aronnd a drill pipe B.

The collar and bands |3 are contraoted and olamped around and to the drill pipe by a rotatable cam type of look device 22. This device includes a member 23 rotatably mounted in one of the iittings |4 and having a cam jaw or eccentrio pin 24 received within an opening 25 in the other fitting |5. As speoifically disclosed in the drawings, the inner arcuate flange |1 of the fittings extends cirouinferentially beyond the outer fiange |3 of this fitting, and has an opening therein rwhich is generally ovateor elliptioal in shape, with the greater dimension of the opening extending vertioally. The cam looking member 23 has its ecoentric pin 24 received within this opening, the looking member itself being rotatable within a oircular or cylindroal opening 26 in the tongue 2| of the fitting |4. Endwise movement of the looking member 23 relative to the 'tongue 2|, along the axis of the 'looking member 23, is p'revented by providing an inner fiange 21 on the looking member, which is received within a 'counterbore 28 in the fitting andV engaging an inner shoulder 29 provided by the base of the counterbore. Such engagement o f the flange 21 with the shoulder 29 prevents later-ally outward movement of the eccentrio member 23 with respect to the fitting i4 and its tongue 2|. Inward movement ofV the o arn` member 23 with respect to the latter parts is prevented by an outer ring or sleeve 30 fitting around the reduced diameter portion 3| of ythe cam looking member, the inner end of this ring or sleeve 30 engaging a step or shoulder 32 formed on the lock member 23v and also engaging a shoulder 33 provided by the external surface of the tongue 2| of the fitting. The ring 30 is made of a comparatively malleable metal;v so that, after having been slipped over the re,- duced diameter por-'tion 3| of the cam looking member and into engagement |wit'h the looking member shoulder 32 andrexterior 33 of the tongue, the outer part 34 of the ring 30 can be peened, or otherwise forced, into a peripheral groove v35 foi'medV in thelooking member 23; W'hen such peening, or foreing, of the ring 30 has been aocomplished, the ring is effectively secured to the looking member 23. As a result, the inner end of the ring engages the outer surface 33 of the tongue 2|, to prevent inward axal movement of the cam looking member 23, wherea the flange 21 of the latter engages the shoulder 29 at the inner end of the oounterbore 28, to prevent outward movement' of the looking member 23.

The rubber collar |0 has a pocket 36 into which the inner arcuate flange |1 of the fitting l5 can pass when theband |3 is drawn around the drill pipe. The rubber collar on opposite sides o f its split is also provided with opposed arcuate or semi-oircular recesses 31 in which the cam looking member 23 is received. These recesses 31 extend to the exterior of the collar member |0, to permit access to the cam looking member 23 by a suitable wrenoh or other tool (not shown) adapted4 to fit lwithin the polygonal or non-circular socket 38 formed in the cam looking memher. When the cam looking member 23 is rotated, to draw the opposed ends of each band and its fitting toward each other, the cam locking meinb r 23 and its outer retainer ring 30 are received within an arcuate recess or notch 33 prgvided in the outer fiange |8 of the fitting |5.

The eooentric cam jaw or pin 24 has opposed flat sides .41| which are interoonnected by ourved oonvex surfaoe 4|. Similarly, the sides 42 of the opening 25- in the inner arcuate flange |1 are also preferably flat and Vertical, the bottom 43 of the opening interconneoting these sides preferably being ourved in concave fashion, while the upper end of the opening is defined by a ourved corner pocket 44 merging into one of the flat si'des 42 of the opening and oonforming to the ourvature 4| of the pin 24. The other side 42 of the opening merges into an arcuate corner .45 running into the upper straight side 46 of the opening, which, in turn runs into the corner 44.

As disclosed in Figs. 3 and 4;, the band |3 is in open position, with the eccentric pin 24 engaging one side end 42 of the opening 25 in the inner arcuate fiange |1. This position is suitably indicated by a radial notch 41 formed in the outer end of the cam looking member 23 in longtudinal alignment with the cam jaw or eccentrio pin 24. A suitable bar or wrench (not shown) is placed in the polygonal socket 33 in the cam member 23 and the later rotated in a clock'wise direction, as seen in Fig. 4, which oauses the' cam 24 to shift the inner arcuate fiange |1 into the pocket 36 and to disporse the tongue 2| of the other fitting M in the arcuate slot i? between the innerland outer fianges |1, 8. Such rotation ocours until the opposite side 40 of the pin engages the fiat side 42 of the opening, with the upper curved end 4| of the pin disposei in the corner pocket 44 of the opening, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, as well as in Figs. 1 and 27.

When in this position, the center of the pin 2.4

and-axis'of the looking member 23 lie in the central plane of the band E3 normal to the axis of the collar O, there being no components of force passing to one side of the as'is o f the looking member 23 that can inadvertently releaseit from its looking position. When the parts are in looked position, the band |3 and the rubber collar ||l Vhave been fully contracted around the drill pipe, with the rubber collar olamped upon the latter. At this time, the opposed longituf dinal edges |2 of the rubber collar abut one another firmly, the only openings present being the arcuate recesses 3.7 PIOVded for the cam 10ok ing member 23. The rubber protector material is circumferentially continuous at all of the regions-of the collar 0, both externally andin.-

ternally thereof. Any tendency for the band and collar to expand isl resisted by the cam device., since it provides: a self-looking arrangement. Thus, as stated above, the expanding force passes through the axis of rotation of the cam looking member 23, and, therefore, is inoapable of rofitating the latter.

As aforementioned, a plurality of longitudinally `spaced band members l3 and attaohedl fitting.

|4, 15 are provided, each combination being "av acsaiof duplicate of the other and being operated in exactly the same manner. They may each have holes 50 therethrough into which the rubber material Hi can flow during the molding of the device, and thereby securely and permanently anchor the bands 13 to the rubber collar IO. In addition, the rubber collar IO will have circumferentially spaced longitudinal recesses therein, which are formed as a result of parts of the mold extending into the mold cavity, to hold the bands l3 in appropriate position during the molding operation.

The bands E3 are also held in longitudinal spaced relation by longitudinally extending bars or straps 52, there being a bar or strap disposed on each side of the split portion of the rubber collar. As disclosed in the drawings, the strap member 52 is of generally L-shaped or angled section having a generally circumferential flange portion 53 secured to a fitting ll or [5 by rivets 54, which also pass through the band |3, to secure the later to the fitting. Each strap has a radial ilange portion 55 extendin'g from the circumferential fiange portion 53, which is embedded in the rubber collar material. It is to be noted that the strap 52 itself extends longitudnally beyond the upper end of the upper band |3 and the lower end of the lower band l3, being disposed within the tapered end portions I l of the rubber collar.

The straps 52, as noted above, will also aidiin holding the bands in longitudinal spaced relation. In addition, their generally radial flanges 55 resist outward displacement of the rubber collar material at opposite sides of the longitudinal collar split. When each cam looking member 23 is rotated to locked position, the longitudinal edges |2 of the rubber collar member are brought into bearing engagement with each other and may tend to bulge outwardly, or cause a tendency for the rubber collar IO to peel circumferentially from the fittings Ill, 15. The generally radial fianges 55 of the straps effectively lock the marginal portions of the rubber collar on opposite sides of the split to the bands, land prevent such peeling or stripping of the rubber material from the band 13, and, more particularly, from its fittings H, I'.

In addition to the foregoing purposes, the projection of the straps 52 into the end portions II of the collar also causes them to resist displacement of such end portions from an appropriately clamped position .upon the drill pipe B. They also resist any tendency for the end portions li to be lifted or pried from the drill pipe, as 'a result of encountering foreign substances in the well bore.

The inventors claim:

1. A protective collar of the class described, including a relatively long cylindrical collar member of yieldable material split substantially longitudinally at one side, a plurality of split fiexible metallic hands extending circnmferentially thereof and spaced longitudinally from each other with respect to the axis of the collar, the ends of the hands being separated at the split portion of the collar, straps, extending longitudinally of the collar, connecting the hands in axially spaced relation, and a lock member adjustably connected to one end of each of the bands and adapted to be detachably connected to the other end of the corresponding band in such la manner as tightly to clamp the collar around a pipe at each of the bands.

2. A protective collar of the class described, in-

Gil

cluding 'a relatively long cylindrical collar member of yieldable material split substantially longitudinally at one side, a plurality of split ilexi'ble metallic bands extending circumferentially thereof and spaced longitudinally from each other with respect to the axis of the collar, the ends of the bands being separated at the split portion of the collar, a strap secured to and connecting said bands in axially spaced relation, said strap being located at the split portions of the bands and of the collar, and a lock member adjustably connected to one end of each of the bands and adapted to be detachably connected to the other end of the corresponding band in such a manner as tightly to olamp the collar around a pipe at each of the bands.

3. A protective collar of the class described, in- -cluding a relatively long cylindrical collar member of yieldable material split substantially longitudinally at one side, a plurality of split flexi'ble metallic bands extending circumferentially thereof and spaced longitudinally from each other with respect to the axis of the collar, the ends of the hands being separated at the split portion of the collar, a strap, of angular crosssection, secured to and connecting each of said bands in axially spaced relation, said strap being located at the other side of the split portions of the hands and of the collar, one of the flanges of each strap extending radially outwardly, and a lock member adjustably connected on one end of each of the bands and adapted to be detachably connected to the other end of the corresponding band in such a manner as tightly to clamp the collar around a pipe at each of the hands.

4. A protective collar of the class described, including a cylindrical collar member of yieldable material split substantially longitudinally at one side, a split flexible metallic band extending circumferentially thereof, one end portion of the band having a cam opening, which opening includes a pocket portion at the circumference of the opening and to one side of the center line of the opening, and a take-up member rotatablymounted on the other end portion of the band,` the take-up member having an elongated camv jaw adapted to be inserted into the opening and; to be rotated by the take-up member from one,` side to the opposite side of the axis of the take-. up member, for drawing together the split por-.

tions of the band, the leading end of the elongated cam jaw, as the same is rotated to the band-closing position, terminating in said pocket portion of the opening for looking the collar in a closed position, the elongation of the cam jaw being transverse With respect to the oircumferential extent of the band When said cam jaw is in said pocket portion.

5. A protective collar of the class described, including a cylindrical collar member of yieldable material split substantially longitudinally at one side, a split metallic band extending circumferentially thereof, one end of the band having a transverse opening, which opening includes a pocket portion at the circumference of the opening and to one side of the center line of the opening, and a take-up member rotatably mounted on the other end portion of the band, said take-up member having a transversely elongated cam jaw adapted to be inserted into the opening, the rotation of the take-up member causing said cam jaw to be shifted from one position to a diametrically opposite position with respect to the axis of the take-up member for aotsfmoi drawing the end portions of the band relative to each other, the leading end of the elongatedcam jaw, as they same is rotated to the band-closing position, terminating in said pocket portion of the lopening for looking the collar in a closed position.

6. A protective collar of the class described, including a cylindrical collar member of yieldable material split substantially longitudinally at one side, a split leXible metanic band extending c-ircuniferentially thereof, one end 'of the band having a transverse opening, which opening includes a pocket portion at the circumference of the opening and to one side of the center line of the opening, and a take-up member rotatably mountedl in the other end portion of the band on an4 axis transverse to the axis of the oollar, said take-up member having at its innerV end a transvrselyelongated cam jaw adapted to be inserted into the opening, the rotation of the take-up member causing said cam jawto be. shifted from one position toithe diametrically opposite positionV with'respeot to the axis of the take-up memberfordrawingthe end'y portions of the band relativ'e to each other, the leading end of the elongated cam jaw, as the same is rotated to the band-elosing position, terminating in said pocket portion of the opening for looking the collar in a closed position.

7:. A protective collar of the class described', including a cylindrical collar member of yiel'dable material split substantially longitudinally at one side, a split flex'ibl'e metallic band extending oircumferentially thereof, one end portion of the band havingv a cam opening, which openinginoludes a pocket portion at the ciroumference of the opening and to one side of the center line of the opening,V and' a take-up member rotatably mounted on the other end portion of the band, the take-up member having an elongated cam jaw adaptedto be inserted into the openingand to. beV rotated by the ltake-up member from one side to the opposite sideof the-axis of the take-up member.l for dra-Wingtogether the split portions of the band, the leading end1 of the elongated cam jaw, as the. same is rotatedV tothe band-closing position, terminating in said pocket portion of the opening-- for-looking the collar in a closed' position, the elongation` of theoam jaw being transmersevvithV respect tothe circumferential extent of'theband when. said cam jaw is in said pocket portion, and interlocking lugs extending substantial'lyoircumferentially. beyond the end portions of: the band. for retaim'ng the cam jaw Within said opening.

8;. A protect'nze` collar of the class deseribed, including a cylindrical' collar member ofyieldable material split. substantially` longitudinally at.- one side. a split ilexiblemetallic band extending oircumferentially thereof, one end of the bandhaving a transverse opening, which opening includes a. PQCket portion at the circumference: of the opening andl to one side. of the center line of-the Qoenna, a.` take-up member rotatabiy mountedV Onitheotheit' end portion of the band, said'takeupmember having.: a. transversely elongatedl cam .law adaptd'tio be inserted into the opening, lthe rqtatonof, the takerupmember ca'using: said cam law. to, be shiftedv to the dametrically opposite position. with respect to. the. axisH of the take-up member-for drawing theend portions of the band relatiwe, to eac other, theV leading end. of the elQnEated cam; jaw,V as, the. same isA rotated to bazndi-Qllsinzpqilqnf tgrminating in saidpoolietl portion,ofthe'oneninefor looking the collarin a 8 closed position, and interlocking lugs extending substantially circumferentially beyond the end portions of the band for retaini-ng the cam jaw within said opening.

9. A collar, including a split band, one end portion of the band having a cam opening, and a take-up member rotatably mounted on the other end portion of the band on an axis extending transversely of the band, the take-up member having a cam jaw extending nwardly and adapted to be inserted into the openingand to be rotated' by the take-up member in said opening, saidl take-up member comprisng a cylinder rotatably-mounted in a bore of the band, said cylinderhaving an annular fiange at its inner portion fitting into an annular recess ooncentrc with the bore, the inner side of the flange being substantially fiush with the inner side of the band and the cam jawl extending inwardly from the peripheral portion of the flange, the outer portion of the cylinder being reduced in diameter, and a retaining ring mounted on the reduced diameter portion and secured in position thereon.

IO. A protective col-lar of the class described, including a oylindrical collar member of yieldable material split substan-tially longitudinally at one side, a split' fiexiblemetallic band extending oircumferentially thereof, 'one end portion of the bandV having a cam opening, and a take-up member rotatably mounted on the other endv portion of the band on an axis extending transversely of the band, thev take-up member having a cam jaw extending inwardly and' adapted to be inserted intothey opening and to be rotated by the take-up member` in said opening, said take-up member comprisinga cylinder rotatably mounted in a bore of the band, said cylinder having an annular ange at its inner portion fitting into an annular i'ecess concentrio with the bore, the inner side of the flange being substantially fiush with the inner sidey of the bandand the cam jaw extending inwardly from the peripheral portion of the fia-nge, the outer portion' of thecylinder` being reduced in diameter, and a retainingring mounted on the reduced diameter portion and secured in position thereon.

111. A collar, including a' split band, one end' portionof the bandhaving a cam opening, and a take-up member rotatably mounted on the other end: portion,v of" the band on an axis extending transversely of and outwardly from the band, the take-up member havinga cam jaw extending inwardlyl and adapted to be inserted into the opening and; to bezrotated by theV take-up member in saidz opening, said take-.up member comprising a cylinder-rotatabl'y mounted in a bore ofthe band; said cylinder'havingl an annular flange at its inner portion fitting into an annular recess concentrio with the bore, the inner side of the fiange'. being substantially. fiush. with. the inner sideof the band; and. the cam jaw extending inwardly'from the peripheral portion ofthe flange, ltheouter portion of the cylinder being reducedin diameter and provided. with an annular groove intermediate its; ends, and a retaining ring mounted on the reduced: diameter portion, the outeit portion of thev ring beingpressed: into said' groove.`

12.. A protective oollar of, the; class described; including a, generally cylindrical oollar member of; elasticv material split. substantially longitudinally at, one, side, a plurality of split flexible bands extendng circumferentially of the col'lar and, spaeed: longitudnally from each other, the ends of the bands being separatedV at the split' i 9 portion of the collar, a strap connecting the bands in aXially spaced relation, and a lock member rotatably mounted on one end of each band and detachably connected to the other end of the same band to clamp the collar around a pipe upon rotation of said lock member.

13. A protective collar of the class described, including a generally cylindrical collar member of elastic material split substantially longitudinally at one side, a plurality of split fiexible bands extending circumferentially of the collar and spaced longitudinally from each other, the ends of the bands being separated at the split portion of the collar, a strap connecting the bands in axially spaced relation, said strap including a reinforcing member extending laterally of said collar and embedded therein, and a lock member rotatably mounted on one end of each band and detachably connected to the other end of the same band to clamp the collar around a pipe upon rotation of said lock member.

14. A protective collar of the class described, including a generally cylindrical collar member of elastic material split substantially longitudinally at one side, a plurality of split fiexible bands extending circumferentially of the collar and spaced longitudinally from each other, the ends of the bands being separated at the split portion of the collar, a strap connecting the bands in axially spaced relation, said strap extending longitudinally beyond said bands into the end portions of said collar member, and a lock member rotatably mounted on one end of each band and detachably connected to the other end of the same band to clamp the collar around a pipe upon rotation of said lock member.

15. A protective collar of the class described, including a generally cylindrical collar member of elastic material split substantially longitudinally at one side, a flexible band extending circumferentially of the collar, the ends of the band being separated at the split portion of the collar, a reinforcing member secured to the band adjacent an end of the band and extending laterally of said collar and embedded therein, and a lock member rotatably mounted on one end of each band and detachably connected to the other end of the same band to clamp the collar around a pipe upon rotation of said lock member.

16. A protective collar of the class described, including a generally cylindrical collar member of elastic material split substantially'longitudinally at one side, a fiexible band extending cir`- cumferentially of the collar, the ends of the band being separated at the split portion of the collar, a reinforcing member secured to the band at an end portion thereof and extending longitudinally beyond said band into the end portions of said collar member, and a lock member rotatably mounted on one end of said band and detachably connected to the other end of said band to clamp the collar around a pipe upon. rotation of said lock member.

17. A collar, including a split band, one end portion of the band having a cam opening, and a take-up member rotatably mounted on the other end Vportion of the band for rotation about an axis extending transversely of the band, said member having a cam element insertable in said opening to engage said one end portion and contract said band upon rotation of said take-up member, said take-up member comprising a cylindrical portion rotatably mounted in the band, a flange on one side of said portion engageable with one side of said band, said take-up member having a reduced diameter portion on the other side of said cylindrical portion, and a retaining member on said reduced diameter portion engageable with the other side of said band and secured to said take-up member.

18. A collar, including a split band, one end portion of the band having a cam opening, and a take-up member rotatably mounted on the other end portion of the band for rotation about an axis extending transversely of the band, said member having a cam element insertable in said opening to engage said one end portion and contract said band upon rotation of said take-up member, said take-up member comprising a cylindrical portion rotatably mounted in the band, a fiange on one side of said portion engageable with one side of said band, and a retaining member secured to said take-up member and engageable with the other side of said band.

WILLIAM J. WILLIAMS. JAMES W. E. HANES.

References oite m the fi1e of this patent UNITED sTATEs PATENTs Number Name Date 1,231,450 Sutton June 26, 1917 2,016,077 Decker Oct. 1, 1935 2,251,428 Smith Aug. 5, 1941 

